Fishing Report - Yellowfin tuna make long-awaited return

Thursday

May 2, 2013 at 1:21 PM

The past week has seen some nice yellowfin tuna caught in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream

By Marc Maus

The past week has seen some nice yellowfin tuna caught in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, along with wahoo, mahi and blackfin tuna. Atlantic Bonita are showing up at some of the near shore artificial reefs while large bluefish are being caught around the inlets and jetties, along the shoreline and in the surf.

TOPSAIL ISLANDCapt. Chris Medlin reports that bluefish, sea mullet and black drum are being caught from the surf and off the piers. Atlantic Bonita are being caught at Diver's Rock. Inshore fishermen are still reporting good catches of speckled trout and red drum. Source: East Coast Sports.

CAROLINA/KURE BEACHCapt. Dennis Barbour reports that speckled trout and red drum are being caught in the creeks and in the river. Virginia mullet are being caught in the river, in the surf and off the piers. Source: Island Tackle and Hardware.

OFFSHORE WILMINGTONCapt. Rick Croson reports trolling in the Gulf Stream is producing catches of wahoo, some mahi, a few yellowfin tuna as well as blackfin tuna. Deepwater jigging is still producing amberjacks. Source: Living Waters Guide Service.

LOWER BRUNSWICK COUNTYCapt. Brant McMullan reports that bluefish are being caught along the beachfront and around the inlets. King mackerel and cobia are being caught in the 100-foot depth range while yellowfin tuna are showing up north of the Steeples. The yellowfin bite has been huge news as it's been nearly 5 years since there have been any catches to speak of. Good numbers of wahoo and mahi are being caught along the break as well. Source: Ocean Isle Fishing Center.